ALBA 19'S SEASON GOT OFF TO A FALTERING START. A DEPLETED SQUAD DUE TO HOLIDAY'S, INJURIES, AND OTHER TEAM'S CHERRY-PICKING, MADE IT DIFFICULT TO GET A STARTING ELEVEN ON THE PARK. BOTH TEAM'S KICKED OFF THE NEW SEASON WITH THE ENTHUSIASM THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT.
THE FIRST HALF WAS A MIDFIELD TUSSLE WITH FEW GOALMOUTH INCIDENT'S, BOTH TEAM'S STRUGGLING TO HIT THE TARGET. ALBA THOUGHT THEY HAD MADE THE BREAKTHROUGH TOWARD'S THE END OF THE FIRST HALF WHEN MANUS O'DONNELL WENT THROUGH ONE ON ONE WITH THE GOALKEEPER ONLY FOR THE REFEREE TO BLOW FOR OFFSIDE.
THE SECOND HALF WAS A MORE OPEN GAME, BUT PLAYING UNDER THE HOT SUN WAS TAKING IT'S TOLL. ALBA'S KEEPER GARY CONNELLY WAS MAKING SOME GREAT SAVE'S TO KEEP THE SCORE SHEET BLANK. HALFWAY THROUGH THE SECOND HALF CLYDE BROUGHT ON THREE SUB'S, THE FRESH LEG'S SWUNG THE GAME FOR THEM, AS THEY SCORED TWICE IN QUICK SUCCESSION. ALBA FOUGHT BRAVELY TO THE END WITH AN ANDY ALLISON EFFORT BEING CLEARED OFF THE LINE.
SPECIAL MENTION SHOULD GO TO THE BACK LINE OF STEVEN McDONNELL, KEVIN NICOLSON, DUNCAN CLARK, AND IAN BLAIR WHO PLAYED THE SECOND HALF WHILE INJURED.
MANAGER IAN NICOLSON SAID " THE BOY'S THAT PLAYED TO-DAY CAN TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF CREDIT FROM THEIR PERFORMANCE CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCE'S".
WITH MOST OF SATURDAY'S GAMES OFF DUE TO THE SEPTEMBER WEEKEND, GEORGE ANDERSON , JOHNSTONE BURGH'S MANAGER DID WELL TO SECURE KEANIE PARK FOR THIS UNDER 19 CLASH.
BURGH WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO PLAY UPHILL IN THE FIRST HALF. PLAYING ON THE JUNIORS PARK SEEMED TO INSPIRE THE BURGH AS THEY WENT AHEAD AFTER 2 MINUTES, A POORLY DEFENDED CORNER PARTIALLY CLEARED BY THE ALBA DEFENCE TO JUST OUTSIDE THE BOX, WAS FIRED BACK IN TOWARDS GOAL AND SNEAKED IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNER. ALBA TOOK THAT AS THEIR WAKE UP CALL, WITH THE GAME RAGING FROM END TO END IT WAS MORE LIKE A CUP TIE THAN A LEAGUE GAME. BOTH TEAMS CREATING CHANCES BUT NOT CONVERTING. WITHIN 20 MINUTES ALBA'S CASUALTY LIST GREW AGAIN, GAVIN MORRIS AND DANNY LEITCH WENT OFF TO BE REPLACED BY OWEN FLETCHER AND MARK McCORMACK, WHO PREVIOUSLY INJURED, ONLY STRIPPED TO TAKE PART IN THE TEAM PHOTOGRAPH. UNDAUNTED ALBA BATTLED ON, MATCHING BURGH AS THE GAME SWUNG FROM END TO END. KEVIN NICOLSON AFTER A WELL WORKED ONE-TWO FOUND HIMSELF IN SOME SPACE 30 YARDS FROM GOAL AND FIRED OFF A RIGHT FOOTED SHOT THAT JUST SCRAPED BY BURGH'S LEFT HAND POST. FROM THE BYE KICK BURGH GAINED POSSESSION 30 YARDS FROM ALBA'S GOAL AND A SPECULATIVE SHOT SCRAPED BY THE GOALKEEPER INTO THE BOTT0M RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE NET. ALBA AGAIN UPPED THEIR EFFORT'S AND A CROSS IN FROM THE LEFT WING FOUND MANUS O'DONNELL IN THE PENALTY BOX, BRINGING IT UNDER CONTROL HE ROUNDED THE DEFENDER, SENT THE GOALKEEPER THE WRONG WAY AND COOLY SIDE FOOTED IT INTO THE NET TO MAKE THE SCORE 2-1. THIS SPURED ALBA ON, ANDY ALLISON BROKE DOWN THE WING BEATING THREE MEN FIRED IN A SHOT THAT BROUGHT OUT A MAGNIFICENT SAVE FROM THE BURGH'S KEEPER, WHO PUSHED IT ROUND THE POST FOR A CORNER. SCOTT ALCOCK, STEVEN McDONNELL AND DUNCAN CLARK ALSO CAME CLOSE TO SCORING FOR ALBA. AS THE GAME SEEMED TO BE FIZZLING OUT TOWARDS HALF TIME THE BURGH BROKE AWAY AND NETTED THEIR THIRD.
THE SECOND HALF KICKED OFF WITH ALBA PLAYING UP THE HILL,WITHIN A MINUTE BURGH WERE AWARDED A PENALTY, THE LACK OF PROTESTS PROVING REF WILLIE YOUNG WAS CORRECT WITH HIS DECISION. THE PENALTY TAKER BLASTED THE BALL WIDE, A LET OFF FOR ALBA. THE BURGH WERE NOT TO BE DENIED THOUGH FOR WITHIN MINUTES SCORING TO GO 4 -1 UP. ALBA'S GARY ANDERSON COLLECTED THE BALL IN MIDFIELD PLAYED IT FORWARD FOR MANUS O'DONNELL TO RUN THROUGH AND CHIP THE GOALKEEPER FROM 25 YARDS TO MAKE THE SCORE 4 -2. O'DONNELL WENT CLOSE ON ANOTHER TWO OCCASIONS, A LEFT FOOT SHOT THAT THE KEEPER DID WELLTO SAVE, AND A RIGHT FOOT VOLLEY THAT JUST WENT BY THE POST. ANDY ALLISON HAD A GREAT CHANCE TO PULL ANOTHER BACK BUT HIS HALF VOLLEY JUST SKIMMED THE CROSSBAR. AT THE OTHER END ALBA'S CASUALTY LIST WAS GROWING THEIR CENTRAL DEFENDER WAS SUFFERING FROM CRAMP, BUT HAVING USED THE ONLY TWO SUBSTITUTES THEY HAD COULD NOT REPLACE HIM. ALBA PUSHED THE BACK LINE UP TO PLAY THE OFFSIDE GAME, BUT THE BURGH GOT WISE TO IT AND STARTED TO RUN THE BALL FROM MIDFIELD TO SCORE A FURTHER TWO GOALS TO MAKE THE FINAL SCORE 6 -2.
JOHNSTONE BURGH THOURGHLY DESERVED THEIR VICTORY BUT THE MARGIN DID NOT DO JUSTICE TO ALBA THISTLES EFFORTS.
A SPECIAL MENTION SHOULD GO TO MANUS O'DONNELL WHO HAS OSGOODS SHLATTERS DISEASE AND HAS TO GO THROUGH THE PAIN BARRIER EVERY GAME HE PLAYS.
Credit to both set's of player's for the turnout on saturday considering the old firm game was on.
Oban won the toss and kicked off with the wind at their back. With both teams playing an attacking game it was never going to be dull. The first chance fell to Alba's Manus O'Donnell after being played through the goalkeeper could only parry his 30 yard shot backwards towards goal, as the ball bounced over the line an oban defender kicked it back out. The referee from his vantage point on the halfway line adjudged that the whole ball had not crossed the line. As the game swung to the other end, Oban won a corner, it was fired in hard to the near post and headed goalward by their forward only to be denied by Andy Allison who cleared off the line. The clearance fell to Oban just outside the box when the shot was fired back in Gary Connelly made a great save to deny them a goal. Alba again pushed forward Manus O'Donnell picked the ball up in the left hand side of the box fired in a shot that beat the goalkeeper but the ball was cleared off the line, it bounced out as far as Owen Fletcher who headed it goalward only to be denied when it was cleared off the line, this time it fell to Steven McDonnell who fired a shot in that was again cleared off the line by an Oban defender. Oban's tactic's were confusing Alba there seemed to be more players behind the goalkeeper than in front of him. the game raged from end to end for the rest of the first half both teams creating chances but not converting.
The second half started at the same frantic pace as the first. Oban having most of the possession but lacking penetration. The Alba defense under no great pressure conceded a corner on the left, the quickly taken corner catching the Alba defense on the hop was played short, the resulting shot looked goalbound until Gary Connelly made one of his trademark saves as the ball trundled along the line Andy Allison was there to kick it clear. After this let off Alba upped the pace and started putting pressure on the Oban defense, to clear their lines Oban adopted an anywhere will do attitude. With Alba pushing forward a headed clearance from Duncan Clark was picked up by Manus O'Donnell, he drifted between two defenders and cooly slotted the ball by the goalkeeper to put Alba 1-0 up. Oban tried to hit back, but with the midfield of Murray, Fletcher, McCormack and McDonnell they could make no progress, anything that did get through was ably dealt with by the Alba defense. with 10 minutes to go Alba pressed the self destruct button again. Oban got a free kick just outside the 18 yard box, poor marking left two oban players free in the six yard box, a delicate chip through was headed in to make the score 1-1. With Alba still reeling from the blow Oban added a second, their centerforward picked up the ball 30 yards out and ran through the Alba defense unchallenged to score. Alba threw everything into attack for the last 5 minutes everybody but the goalkeeper in the Oban half. Gavin Morris came close with a header just over the bar from a corner, but the Oban defense held firm to secure a 2-1 victory
Before the game started Renfrew Vic's were firm favorites in this under 19's clash. Alba having 3 key player's calling off on the morning of the game, leaving them with 11 player's and no substitute's.
Alba kicked off and the Vic's immediately took control of the game, Alba were hard pressed but defended stoutly. The Vic's could not break Alba's defense down, any attempts on goal were from long range and easily dealt with by Alba's goalkeeper Gary Connelly. Having weathered the storm Alba came into the game winning a free kick 25 yards out, dead ball expert and captain Andy Allison was missing so Manus O'Donnell stood in for him. O'Donnell's free kick flew over the wall and dipped into the bottom corner of the goal leaving the goalkeeper stranded, to put Alba 1-0 up. The game developed into a midfield tussle with Owen Fletcher and Scott Alcock battling hard in the center of the park. The Vic's won a corner on the right, as the ball came in the Alba defense were posted missing and the Vic's forward had a free header on goal, to make the score 1-1. Within 2 minutes Alba had restored their lead, a beautifully flighted through ball caught the Vic's defense flatfooted Davy Dickie making a 50 yard run latched on to it and fired a shot in beating the goalkeeper, only to see it come off the post, showing the battling spirit that typifies Alba he raced in for the rebound with the goalkeeper trying to hold him back he managed to toe-poke it over the line. Alba on the ascendency had the Vic's penned in, a cross in from the right found Danny Leitch unmarked 3 yards out from goal, but his header just skimmed over the top of the crossbar. the half time whistle went with Alba 2-1 ahead.
The Vic's kicked off the second half, with both teams canceling each other out there were few chances for either side. Alba's back line had pushed forward to squeeze the game, which worked well, keeping the ball in the Vic's half. 25 minutes into the second half the ball was played through to the Vic's forward, there was only one person at the game that thought he was onside, unfortunately for Alba, it was the referee. The vic's forward took full advantage to level the scores at 2-2. Alba feeling a sense of deep injustice quickly lost a third. With the Vic's 3-2 up and 5 minutes to go Alba threw everything at them but could not get the break in front of goal.In the dying seconds a Steven McDonnell cross in from the right beat the defense and the goalkeeper. Owen Fletcher making a late run in at the back post desperately flung himself at the ball only to miss it by inches. A let off for the Vic's and Alba's last chance, the final whistle blew to end a very sporting and hard fought contest.
With Alba improving every week and loosing games through bad luck or poor refereeing something had to give.
Kiloran kicked off and a fired up Alba took the game by storm. Within 2 minutes Alba had a penalty claim turned down. A Kiloran defender handled in the penalty box from a Manus O’Donnell shot but the referee judged to be accidental. Not be denied two minutes later Steven McDonnell raced down the line and crossed for Scott Alcock to score, Alba 1-0 up. In the eighth minute Andy Alison played a long ball through for Manus O’Donnell who took the ball round the goalkeeper to slot home, Alba 2-0 up. Two minutes later Alcock scored his second and Alba’s third. This time in a brilliant solo effort he picked the ball up in midfield went straight through Kiloran defence to curl the ball into the corner of the net. Kiloran defended bravely but had no answer to Alba’s constant pressure. In the thirteenth minute Duncan Clark Alba’s left back made a lung bursting run forward and when Steven McDonnell’s shot was cleared off the line he was in the right place at the right time to head home and put Alba 4-0 up. Three minutes later Owen Fletcher one of the smallest players on the park but with one of the biggest hearts out jumped the Kiloran defence to head home and put Alba 5-0 up. Kiloran took centre while Alba were still celebrating and with two passes the Kiloran forward shot by a stunned Gary Connelly. Two minutes later Alba restored their five goal advantage with a ball in from the left Scott Alcock to Manus O’Donnell who with the goalkeeper diving at his feet coolly flicked it over him. In the twenty-fifth minute Steven McDonnell played the ball through to Gavin Morris who took it round the goalkeeper and side footed it into the empty net to put Alba 7-1 up. Kiloran held out until the 35th minute when Kevin Nicholson picked up the ball 30 yards from goal and shot onto the face of the bar, however the rebound came back onto his left foot and slotted home comfortably, Alba 8-1 up. There were no further goals before half time but Kiloran were still on the back foot. No doubt when the whistle went it was a welcome sound.
Alba made three substitutions at half time. Off went Davy Dickie, Gavin Morris and Duncan Clark to be replaced by Mark McCormack, Mark Murray and new signing Gary McCulloch with the positional changes Alba took some time to settle. Kiloran took full advantage. The mark of a good goalkeeper is how he reacts when put under pressure after long periods of inactivity. Gary Connelly didn’t let Alba down, bringing off three great saves in the first 5 minutes of the second half. In the 52 minutes a great run down the left by Mark Murray left three Kiloran players trailing in his wake, played the ball through to Scott Alcock who was on hand to score his first Alba hat-trick, Alba 9-1 ahead. Nine minutes later Alcock was on hand again to score his 4th and Alba’s tenth. It was still all Alba with Kiloran defending desperately. In the 68th minute Alcock was brought down in the penalty box, giving Alba a chance to make it eleven from the penalty spot. Andy Alison wanting a piece of the action, went in a huff and took a tantrum until his fellow team mates stopped arguing and the captain done his duty. Cool as ever, Alison stepped up and slotted home number eleven for Alba. Steven McDonnell after laying on three off the goals, felt aggrieved at not being on the score sheet. There was to be a thirteenth goal in this match, with Kiloran’s clean sheet absolutely filthy McDonnell finally in on the goals, took the Kiloran defence to the cleaners one last time. Picking up the ball on the halfway line McDonnell nutmegged the advancing Kiloran midfielder, played a through ball to Manus O’Donnell who rounded a defender, played the ball back into McDonnell’s path and slotted home to finish the rout, Alba twelve to one winners.
As usual nothing with Alba is plain sailing when the referee handed the team lines back, he had recorded the score as 11-1 and no amount of persuasion would change his mind. Manager Ian Nicholson said, “If we continue to play like this we’ll have to buy more lead for the referee’s pencil.”
Clyde Thistle travelled up from Greenock full of confidence having lost only one game this season,and only losing their top spot in the league through team's having played more game's than they have. Alba having a low casualty count this week only three player's missing through injury, Davy Dickie, Gary Anderson, and Owen ( braveheart ) Fletcher. The scene was set for a good game
Clyde kicked off and went straight into the attack but they came up against a strengthened and more resolute Alba defence. Chance's early on in the game were few and far between , both defence's coming out well on top. Alba's back line of Danny Leitch, Stephen Connelly, Robbie Sutherland, and Duncan Clark playing exceptionally well. The longer the game went on the stronger Alba became. The first clear chance fell to Steven McDonnell usually the provider, but his shot went just over the bar. Alba were having the better of the game but could not convert the pressure into goal's. Alba won a corner on the right, a great flighted ball in from Scott Alcock was met by a late run from Stephen Connelly but his header went just by the post. Next chance went to Kevin Nicolson lurking at his usual scoring distance 30 yard's out from goal, but this time his shot just skimmed the bar. The halftime whistle went with the scoresheet blank.
Alba kicked off the second half and took up where they left off keeping the pressure on Clyde. Andy Allison won the ball in midfield ran through to the edge of the penalty box played the ball to Manus O'Donnell who had run wide, O'Donnell from an acute angle fired the ball into the bottom left hand corner to put Alba 1-0 up. The game was well balanced with neither team creating a clear cut chance until Alba's left back, Duncan Clark who seemed to be all over the park, won the ball in midfield picked out Kevin Nicolson with an inch perfect pass, Nicolson played the ball through to Manus O'Donnell 20 yard's out , O'Donnell seeing the goalkeeper off his line chipped him to put Alba 2-0 up. Clyde tried hard to get back into the game but could not make any headway. Clyde's right winger who hadn't had a kick of the ball all through the game because he was up against an on form Duncan Clark decided his only course of action was to have a kick at him. Clark showing remarkable restraint walked away leaving the referee to deal with it. Unfortunately Gavin ( rambo ) Morris decided to take matter's into his own hand's, resulting in him and Clyde's right winger being sent off. Where as such behavior cannot be condoned it gives an indication of Alba's improving team spirit. When thing's settled it was back to Alba pressurising and Clyde defending stoutly. Scott Alcock won the ball in midfield beat two player's then passed the ball to Mark Murray who's shot was just held by the goalkeeper. The game finished with Alba keeping the pressure on but they could not add to the score.
The referee awarded Man of the Match to Manus O'Donnell.
ALBA TRAVELLED THROUGH TO HAMILTON FOR THIS UNDER 19's CLASH. HAVING MET BEFORE IN THE SEASON WITH THE ROVER'S WINNING 4-2 ALBA WERE LOOKING FOR REVENGE. UNFORTUNATELY ALBA'S INJURY WOE'S CONTINUED WHEN KEY PLAYER's MARK MURRAY AND GARY McCULLOCH FAILED A LATE FITNESS TEST.
ALBA KICKED OFF AND WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE ATTACK WITHIN TWO MINUTE'S THE ROVER'S GOALKEEPER WAS UNDER PRESSURE A SLICK PASSING MOVE DOWN THE RIGHT BETWEEN KEVIN NICOLSON AND ANDY ALLISON LEFT STEVEN McDONNELL FREE IN THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE BOX HIS SHOT LOOKED DESTINED TO HIT THE BACK OF THE NET, UNTIL THE ROVER'S GOALKEEPER JUST GOT HIS FINGERTIP'S TO IT TO TIP IT OVER THE BAR. ALBA WERE NOT TO BE DENIED, ROBBIE SUTHERLAND PLAYED A THROUGH BALL TO GAVIN ( rambo ) MORRIS WHO TURNED HIS MARKER, DRIFTED BETWEEN TWO DEFENDER'S AND FIRED THE BALL INTO THE BOTTOM LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE NET TO PUT ALBA 1-0 UP. ALBA CONTINUED TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE ROVER'S DEFENDING DESPERATELY. ALBA'S PRESSURE RESULTED IN A CORNER ON THE LEFT, SCOTT ALCOCK FLIGHTED A BEAUTIFUL BALL INTO THE SIX YARD BOX FOR OWEN FLETCHER TO HEAD HOME TO PUT ALBA 2-0 UP. THE ROVER'S TRIED HARD TO GET INTO THE GAME BUT WHEN THEY TRIED TO BUILD FROM THE BACK OWEN FLETCHER WAS THERE TO DENY THEM TIME AND SPACE. DUNCAN CLARK ALBA'S LEFT BACK STARTED PUSHING FORWARD, AND PICKING THE BALL UP ON THE HALFWAY LINE PLAYED IT FORWARD TO STEVEN McDONNELL, BEATING ONE MAN, FLICKED IT TO OWEN FLETCHER WHO VOLLEYED IT INTO THE NET TO PUT ALBA 3-0 UP. ALBA HAVING THE UPPER HAND KEPT THE PRESSURE ON, A KEVIN NICOLSON SHY WAS HEADED ON BY SCOTT ALCOCK TO GAVIN ( rambo ) MORRIS WHO FIRED IT INTO THE NET TO PUT ALBA 4-0 UP. THE HALFTIME WHISTLE WAS A WELCOME SOUND TO THE ROVER'S.
THE ROVER'S KICKED OFF THE SECOND HALF AND WITH ALBA MAKING THREE SUBSTITUTION'S THE GAME SWUNG TOWARD'S THE ROVER'S. ALBA LOST A FREAK OWN GOAL TO MAKE THE SCORE 4-1. THAT WAS THE SPUR THAT ROVER'S NEEDED, WITH RENEWED ENTHUSIASM THEY CAME AT ALBA, RESULTING IN A GOAL THAT MADE IT 4-2. BEFORE ALBA COULD DRAW BREATH ROVER'S HAD SCORED ANOTHER TO MAKE THE SCORE 4-3. THE GAME SETTLED, AND IT LOOKED TO BE RUNNING OUT IN ALBA'S FAVOUR WHEN ROVER'S WERE AWARDED A SOFT PENALTY, WHICH THEY SCORED TO MAKE IT 4-4. ALBA WERE BY NOW DEFENDING DESPERATELY, THEIR BACK'S AGAINST THE WALL. BUT WHEN ALL LOOKED LOST A HERO EMERGED FOR ALBA, STEVEN McDONNELL PICKED THE BALL UP IN MIDFIELD FLICKED IT OVER HIS MARKER'S HEAD THEN WENT ON A RUN BEATING THREE ROVER'S DEFENDER'S AND FIRED THE BALL INTO THE CORNER OF THE NET TO PUT ALBA 5-4 UP. AS HE FELL TO THE GROUND EXHAUSTED HE WAS MOBBED BY HIS JUBILANT TEAM MATE'S. THE ROVER'S TOOK CENTER ONLY FOR THE REFEREE TO BLOW FOR FULL TIME, ALBA RUNNING OUT 5-4 WINNER'S.
MANAGER IAN NICOLSON SAID " IT WAS A VERY EXCITING GAME BUT I THINK WE DESERVED OUR VICTORY. AS A MARK OF ALBA'S PROGRESS IT SHOULD BE MENTIONED THAT WE HAVE THREE PLAYER'S SELECTED FOR THE INVERCLYDE REGIONAL SQUAD, WHICH PUT'S THEM IN CONTENTION FOR A CALL UP FOR A SCOTLAND CAP, THEY ARE GARY CONNELLY, ANDREW ALLISON, AND MANUS O'DONNELL. OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE TO USE THEM SPARINGLY DUE TO THEIR OTHER COMMITMENT'S. TAKING EVERYTHING INTO CONSIDERATION IT WAS AN INSPIRATIONAL RESULT.
Alba 19’s let 3 valuable points slip to high-flying Johnstone Burgh as they paid the price for poor defending.
Alba were in control as they took the lead early in the 2nd half but 2 goals in the last 10 minutes saw Thistle’s 3 game unbeaten run come to an end.
Alba had the first real chance of the game when full back Kevin Nicholson played a defence - splitting pass for forward Mark Murray who’s 1st time effort pulled by the post. Murray was causing the Burgh defence all sort of problems in the early stages when he get onto the end of a Gavin Morris cross only to see his effort touched over the bar by the keeper.
Minutes later McDonnell won a free kick just outside the Burgh penalty area from which top goal scorer Manus O’Donnell nearly took full advantage, with his shot going narrowly wide of the keepers right hand post.
After Thistle failing to convert several chances, it spurred Burgh into life after a period of pressure they won a penalty which was superbly saved by in from keeper Gary Connelly.
The play swung Alba’s way once again with Scott Alcock, Gavin Morris and Robbie Sutherland all going close. The last chance of the first half fell to Owen Fletcher when he took a Stephen McDonnell cross first time on the volley but only narrowly dragged his effort wide of the post.
Alba was the brighter of the two after the re-start, with Fletcher hitting the post before Alba got the deserved opener. A Scott Alcock corner picked out Manus O’Donnell where his header was cleared off the line but centre Half Stephen Connelly was on hand to knock in the opener.
Thistle should have gone on to secure the 3 points with forwards, Murray and O’Donnell both seeing efforts well saved by the keeper.
Burgh then took control of the game with 15 minutes to go forcing Connelly into several excellent saves, the most notable being from a free kick which was destined for the top corner only to tipped over the bar. However, soon after the jags paid the highest possible price for poor defending with 7 minutes left after a freak deflection from a free kick steered the ball past Connelly. Then with just seconds left to play, the home side took full advantage after Thistle failed to clear their lines from a corner and the Burgh striker slotted the ball home to make it 2-1.
SPECIAL THANK'S TO STEVEN McDONNELL FOR WRITING THIS REPORT FOR US.
Alba kicked off, and before Tullichewan could draw breath they were under siege. Alba right up for it from the start, piled the pressure on the Tullichewan defence. The first of the chances fell to Steven McDonnell, he was set up by Owen Fletcher. Fletcher like his Manchester United and Scotland namesake played the ball through with a deft heel flick for McDonnell, his shot brought out a great save from the goalkeeper to deny Alba. The Jag's were creating numerous chance's but were unable to convert them into goal's, until they won a corner on the left. Andy Allison took the corner and picked out Kevin Nicolson in the penalty box, Nicolson spotting a gap in the wall of player's in front of him fired the ball into the net to put Alba 1-0 up. Alba continuing to press, Andy Allison winning the ball out on the right spotted Gavin ( rambo ) Morris making a run on the blind side of the defence picked him out with an inch perfect pass, Morris keeping a cool head slotted it by the goalkeeper to put Alba 2-0 up. With the game being played in the Tullichewan half Alba became casual at the back, resulting in a passback to the goalkeeper being intercepted by the Tullichewan centerforward leaving him one on one with Gary Connelly. Alba's goalkeeper did not let his side down, making a magnificent double save to deny Tullichewan. Alba's reply was swift winning a shy in line with the Tullichewan's 18 yard box, Kevin Nicolson's shy found Stephen Connelly, his shot flew into the top left corner of the net leaving the goalkeeper stranded to put Alba 3-0 up. Nicolson and Connelly combined again, this time from a corner,but after sending the goalkeeper the wrong way Connelly's shot went agonizingly wide of the post. There was no further scoring and Alba went in 3-0 ahead.
Tullichewan kicked off the second half with renewed spirit but Alba's back four, Kevin Nicolson, Stephen Connelly, Robbie Sutherland and Duncan Clark stood firm. Alba slow to start the second half began to pick up the pace. A direct free kick 20 yard's out was taken by Scott Alcock, the ball came off the crossbar and Tullichewan managed to scramble it for a corner. Alba took the opportunity to reshuffle the pack bringing on three substitutes's Mark Murray, Mark McCormack and Davy Dickie. The fresh leg's proved beneficial for Alba from then on it was one way traffic. A well worked move down the right with Davy Dickie winning a 50/50 challenge, played the ball forward for Mark McCormack his shot looked destined for the top left hand corner of the net until the Tullichewan goalkeeper made a magnificent save to push the ball round the post. Alba although having most of the possession were struggling to make it count until Scott Alcock picked the ball up on the halfway line, Tullichewan had crowded the midfield, Alcock being forced wide left beat two player's and with the Tullichewan defence expecting a cross, Alcock saw his chance and fired the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net from an acute angle to put Alba 4-0 up. Alba with the scent of victory threw everybody forward, Duncan Clark Alba's left back gathered the ball in his own half playing the ball forward, kept his run going, racing by his own forward's the ball was played through to him, his shot looked goalbound only for the Tullichewan goalkeeper to pull of yet another great save. Alba kept pressing but could not add to their tally, either being denied by the woodwork, or by the on form Tullichewan goalkeeper. The game finished with Alba 4-0 victor's.
Man of the Match was awarded to Robbie Sutherland for yet another stalwart display in defence.
Manager Ian Nicolson said "The turnaround we have had this season is spectacular. At the beginning of the season at time's we had only 10 player's to start the game, now with a full squad we are turning in performance's that are a pleasure to watch.
ALBA THISTLE OPENED UP UP THEIR LEAGUE CUP CAMPAIGN IN WHAT IS PROBABLY THE MOST DIFFICULT SECTION IN THE COMPETITION , IT CONTAIN'S THE 1st , 2nd AND 4th PLACED TEAM'S IN THE PAISLEY AND DISTRICT 'A' LEAGUE . DUMBARTON ACCIES IN 2nd PLACE 4 POINT'S BEHIND THE LEAGUE LEADER'S BUT WITH 4 GAMES IN HAND , TRAVELLED UP FROM DUMBARTON FULL OF CONFIDENCE . ALBA ELECTED TO PLAY AGAINST THE WIND AND RAIN IN THE FIRST HALF, EXPECTING TO BE UNDER PRESSURE IN THE FIRST HALF BUT GAINING THE BENEFIT IN THE SECOND . IN DEFIANCE OF THE CONDITION'S ALBA TOOK CONTROL OF THE GAME IN THE EARLY STAGE'S . THE FIRST OF ALBA'S CHANCES FELL TO OWEN FLETCHER , A HIGH CLEARANCE WAS BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL BY MANUS O'DONNELL PLAYING THE BALL THROUGH TO FLETCHER WHO ROUNDED THE DEFENDER HIS SHOT LOOKED GOAL BOUND BUT THE GOALKEEPER JUST MANAGED TO CLAW THE BALL OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE BAR . THE PATTERN OF THE GAME WAS SET WITH ALBA CONSTANTLY PRESSURISING AND ACCIES CONFINED TO THE ODD COUNTER ATTACK . MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST HALF WITH ALBA UNDER NO PRESSURE AN ATTEMPTED PASSBACK TO THE KEEPER FELL SHORT , THE BALL STICKING IN THE MUD HALFWAY BETWEEN THE GOALKEEPER AND THE DEFENDER . THE ACCIES FORWARD WAS FIRST TO REACT HE NIPPED IN AND SLOTTED THE BALL HOME TO PUT DUMBARTON 1-O UP . ALBA UNDAUNTED KEPT PLUGGING AWAY . KEVIN NICOLSON COLLECTED THE BALL UP ON THE HALFWAY LINE PLAYED IT THROUGH TO OWEN FLETCHER , HIS SNAPSHOT WAS SAVED BY THE GOALKEEPER BUT HE COULDN'T HOLD IT , AS THE BALL CAME BACK OUT MANUS O'DONNELL WAS ON HAND TO FIRE IT INTO THE NET TO MAKE THE SCORE 1-1 . THERE WAS NO FURTHER SCORING AND THE TEAM'S WENT IN AT HALFTIME LEVEL . AS THE ALBA COACHING STAFF WERE GIVING THEIR HALFTIME TEAM TALK THE CLOUD'S PARTED THE SUN CAME OUT ANDTHE WIND DISAPPEARED ALBA KICKED OFF AND WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE ATTACK , GARY ANDERSON COLLECTING THE BALL ON THE HALFWAY LINE RAN STRAIGHT THROUGH THE ACCIES MIDFIELD AND DEFENCE BUT HIS SHOT WENT JUST WIDE OF THE POST . DUNCAN CLARK ALBA'S LEFT BACK MADE A FORWARD RUN AND PLAYED THE BALL THROUGH TO MANUS O'DONNELL , FLICKING THE BALL FORWARD , LEFT HIS MARKER TRAILING AND FROM AN ACUTE ANGLE FIRED THE BALL ACROSS THE ACCIES KEEPER INTO THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE NET . TO PUT ALBA 2-1 UP . WITH THE PARK CUTTING UP IT MADE IT VERY HEAVY GOING FOR THE PLAYER'S , AS THE LEG'S BEGAN TO TIRE MISTAKE'S STARTED TO CREEP INTO THE GAME . THE REFEREE SEEMED TO SUFFER AS WELL . WATCHING FROM A DISTANCE HE AWARDED A PENALTY TO THE ACCIES , ALBA'S DEFENDER CLEANLY WON THE BALL BUT THE ACCIES FORWARD HAD SLIPPED IN THE MUD . JUSTICE WAS DONE WHEN THE SPOT KICK WAS BLASTED OVER THE BAR . DUMBARTON NOT TO BE DENIED EQUALISED SHORTLY AFTER . A SLICK PASSING MOVE FROM THEIR MIDFIELD THROUGH TO THEIR FORWARD LEFT THE ALBA DEFENCE TRAILING , HE SCORED TO MAKE IT 2-2 . THIS ACTED AS A WAKE UP CALL FOR ALBA AS THEY HAD TAKEN THEIR FOOT OF THE GAS . STEVEN McDONNELL PLAYED THE BALL TO OWEN FLETCHER WHO HAD MADE A RUN DOWN THE RIGHT , HE FIRED OFF A FIRST TIME SHOT AND WITH THE GOALKEEPER BEATEN WAS DENIED BY THE CROSSBAR . WITH THE GAME SWINGING FROM END TO END ALBA WERE RELIANT ON THEIR GOALKEEPER GARY CONNELLY PLAYING TO HIS USUAL HIGH STANDARD TO KEEP THE ACCIES AT BAY . ALBA STILL HAVING MOST OF THE PRESSURE WERE BATTLING HARD TO TRY TO GET THE WINNER . ANDY ALLISON PLAYED THE BALL TO MANUS O'DONNELL WHO AFTER TAKING THE BALL PAST THE ACCIES DEFENDER WAS BROUGHT DOWN 20 YARD'S FROM GOAL . THE RESULTANT FREE KICK TAKEN BY ANDY ALLISON LOOKED GOALBOUND BUT THE ACCIES KEEPER THROWING HIMSELF ACROSS THE FULL LENGTH OF THE GOAL MANAGED TO SCRAMBLE THE BALL AWAY . THE NEXT CHANCE FELL TO OWEN FLETCHER , A STEVEN McDONNELL SHY WAS HEADED ON BY MANUS O'DONNELL TO FLETCHER , WITH HIS BACK TO THE GOAL SHOT ON THE TURN BUT HIS EFFORT WENT THE WRONG SIDE OF THE POST . ALBA WON A FREE KICK 35 YARD'S OUT ROBBIE SUTHERLAND STEPPED UP AND BLASTED THE BALL , HEADING FOR THE TOP LEFT HAND CORNER THE GOALKEEPER MANAGED TO GET BOTH HAND'S ON IT , BUT THE POWER IN THE SHOT MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE NET . MAKING THE SCORE 3-2 TO ALBA . MANUS O'DONNELL CAME CLOSE ON 3 OTHER OCCASION'S TO GETTING HIS HAT-TRICK , A HEADER THAT JUST SCRAPED THE BAR , AND 2 SHOT'S THAT BROUGHT OUT 2 GREAT SAVE'S FROM THE ACCIES KEEPER . BUT NEITHER HE NOR ALBA COULD ADD TO THEIR TALLY . ALBA'S MANAGER IAN NICOLSON SAID " IT WAS A GREAT GAME CONSIDERING THE CONDITION'S . I THOUGH OUR BOY'S WERE MAGNIFICENT ABSOLUTLY MAGNIFICENT ."
ALBA TRAVELLED UP TO OBAN ON SATURDAY AS THE ONLY UNBEATEN TEAM IN THEIR LEAGUE SECTION. TRAVELLING WITH A DEPLETED SIDE , FOUR FIRST TEAM PLAYER'S INCLUDING THEIR GOALKEEPER MISSING , BUT STILL DETERMINED THAT IT WOULDN'T BE A WASTED JOURNEY .
ALBA WINNING THE TOSS ELECTED TO PLAY UP THE SLOPE IN THE FIRST HALF. THE SAINT'S KICKED OFF AND WENT INTO THE ATTACK STRAIGHT AWAY. WINNING A FREE KICK 40 YARD'S OUT, THE BALL WAS FLIGHTED INTO THE PENALTY BOX FINDING THE OBAN CENTRE FORWARD UNMARKED HIS HEADER LOOKED GOALBOUND UNTIL STAND-IN GOALKEEPER DAVY DICKIE BROUGHT OFF A GREAT SAVE. UNFORTUNATELY UNABLE TO HOLD IT THE BALL DROPPED TO A SAINT'S PLAYER, DICKIE BRAVELY DIVED AT HIS FEET AND THIS TIME HOLDING THE BALL TO MAKE IT A GREAT DOUBLE SAVE. THE NEXT CHANCE FELL TO ALBA AN ANDY ALLISON CORNER TAKEN FROM THE RIGHT WAS HEADED DOWN BY ROBBIE SUTHERLAND TO MANUS O'DONNELL BUT HIS LEFT FOOT SHOT WAS CLEARED OFF THE LINE. THE GAME SETTLED DOWN TO A MIDFIELD BATTLE WITH TWO EVENLY MATCHED TEAM'S, BUT THE LONGER THE GAME WENT ON THE STRONGER ALBA WERE GETTING. OWEN FLETCHER WINNING THE BALL IN MIDFIELD PLAYED A DEFENCE SPLITTING THROUGH BALL FOR MANUS O'DONNELL, WITH TWO DEFENDER'S TRAILING IN HIS WAKE ONE OF THEM MADE A DESPAIRING TACKLE FROM THE BEHIND BRINGING O'DONNELL DOWN. UNFORTUNATELY THE REFEREE SAW NOTHING UNTOWARD PROVING THAT AT TIMES FOR THE TRAVELLING TEAM TO GET A DECISION IS AS RARE AS FINDING A HEN WITH TEETH. OBAN PRESSED FORWARD A BALL THROUGH FROM MIDFIELD FOUND THEIR CENTREFORWARD IN SPACE, HE FIRED HIS SHOT TOWARD'S THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNER OF ALBA'S GOAL, DAVY DICKIE FLUNG HIMSELF ACROSS THE FULL LENGTH OF THE GOAL TO PARRY THE BALL OUT, BRINGING OFF YET ANOTHER GREAT SAVE AND STEPHEN CONNELLY WAS ON HAND TO KNOCK THE BALL OUT FOR A CORNER. SAINT'S TOOK THE CORNER, THE RESULTANT HEADER WAS CLEARED OFF THE LINE BY DUNCAN CLARK ONLY TO COME STRAIGHT BACK IN AGAIN AND AFTER A SCRAMBLE IN THE SIX YARD BOX THE BALL ENDED UP IN THE BACK OF THE NET TO PUT OBAN 1-0 UP. ALBA UPPED THEIR EFFORT'S, MANUS O'DONNELL PLAYED THE BALL THROUGH FOR STEVEN McDONNELL ONLY FOR A DIVING SAVE BY THE SAINT'S KEEPER STOPPING HIM SCORING. THE HALF TIME WHISTLE WENT WITH THE SCORE 1-0 TO OBAN.
ALBA KICKED OFF THE SECOND HALF DETERMIND TO DO BETTER, GARY ANDERSON PLAYED THE BALL THROUGH TO OWEN FLETCHER HIS FIRST TOUCH TOOK HIM ROUND THE DEFENDER HE FIRED THE BALL TOWARD'S GOAL, THE GOALKEEPER DIVING FULL LENGTH PARRIED THE BALL OUT BUT ONLY AS FAR AS MANUS O'DONNELL, O'DONNELL SHOT BUT HIS EFFORT WAS BLOCKED BY A DEFENDER. ALBA WON A FREE KICK 25 YARD'S OUT, ALBA'S CAPTAIN AND DEAD BALL EXPERT ANDY ALLISON STEPPED UP TO TAKE IT, HIS SHOT LOOKED GOALBOUND BUT THE KEEPER MANAGED TO SAVE. ALBA NOT TO BE DENIED WON A CORNER ON THE LEFT ANDY ALLISON FLIGHTED THE BALL IN AND ROBBIE SUTHERLAND OUTJUMPING THE SAINT'S DEFENCE HEADED HOME TO PUT ALBA LEVEL AT 1-1. FROM THE CENTRE ALBA WON THE BALL, ANDY ALLISON PICKING THE BALL UP ON THE HALFWAY LINE RAN STRAIGHT THROUGH THE SAINT'S MIDFIELD AND DEFENCE ONLY TO SEE HIS SHOT GO JUST WIDE OF THE LEFT HAND POST. BY NOW THE SAINT'S WERE UNDER SIEGE HELP CAME IN THE FORM OF THE REFEREE ON ONE OF THE FEW OCCASION'S THAT THE SAINT'S GOT THE BALL INTO ALBA'S PENALTY BOX A PERFECTLY TIMED TACKLE BY THE ALBA DEFENDER WAS ADJUDGED TO BE A PENALTY . SAINT'S NETTED FROM THE SPOT TO GO 2-1 UP. ALBA FEELING A SENCE OF INJUSTICE RENEWED THEIR EFFORT'S GARY ANDERSON BREAKING DOWN THE RIGHT CROSSED THE BALL IN TO THE PENALTY BOX A SAINT'S DEFENDER DIVED AND PUNCHED THE BALL AWAY TO DENY A GOAL SCORING OPPORTUNITY AND ALBA WERE AWARDED A PENALTY. ANDY ALLISON PLAYED HIS CAPTAIN'S ROLE TO THE FULL WHEN HE STEPPED UP TO TAKE THE PENALTY AND SCORE TO LEVEL THE THE GAME AT 2-2. WITH OBAN LOOKING AS IF THEY HAD SETTLED FOR A DRAW ALBA HAD NOT GIVEN UP HOPE OF THE THREE POINT'S. WITH THE GAME IN INJURY TIME ALBA WON A SHY ON THE RIGHT TAKEN BY SCOTT ALCOCK, FOUND MANUS O'DONNELL IN THE PENALTY BOX, HIS SHOT WAS BLOCKED BY AN OBAN DEFENDER BUT AS THE BALL SPUN OFF HIM OWEN FLETCHER WAS THERE TO HEAD THE BALL HOME TO SCORE THE WINNING GOAL FOR ALBA. THE GAME HAD BARELY KICKED OFF AGAIN WHEN THE REFEREE BLEW THE FINAL WHISTLE, ALBA RUNNING OUT 3-2 WINNER'S.
MANAGER IAN 'FERGIE' NICOLSON SAID "A TRUELY INSPIRING PERFORMANCE, IT'S VERY HARD TO PICK OUT AN INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE BUT A SPECIAL MENTION SHOULD GO TO DAVY DICKIE,PLAYING OUT OF POSITION, FOR HIS EXCELLENT DISPLAY IN GOAL'S FOR US. ".
ALBA MAINTAINED THEIR UNBEATEN RUN IN THE LEAGUE CUP. THEIR OPPONENT'S JOHNSTONE BURGH , TOPPING THE LEAGUE AND HAVING ALREADY BEATEN ALBA TWICE EARLIER IN THE SEASON HAD TO SETTLE FOR A SHARE OF THE SPOIL'S THIS TIME ROUND.
FROM THE KICK OFF ALBA HAD MOST OF THE PRESURE WITH THE BURGH ON THE BACK FOOT DEFENDING STOUTLY. ALBA'S FIRST CHANCE FELL TO SCOTT ALCOCK BUT HIS HEADER WENT NARROWLY BY THE POST. NEXT CHANCE FELL TO OWEN FLETCHER, A CLEVER FLICK THROUGH BY MANUS O'DONNELL LEFT THE DEFENCE FLAT FOOTED, FLETCHER RAN THROUGH AND COOLLEY SLOTTED THE BALL INTO THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNER TO PUT ALBA 1-0 UP. THE BURGH REPLIED IMMEDIATELY A SPECULATIVE SHOT FROM 30 YARD'S OUT WAS DIPPING JUST UNDER THE BAR WHEN ALBA'S KEEPER STRETCHED OUT AND TIPPED IT OVER. AFTER THAT IT WAS ALL ALBA, ANDY ALLISON BROKE INTO THE BOX FROM THE RIGHT WING ROUNDED A DEFENDER BUT HIS SHOT WAS SAVED BY THE BURGH KEEPER. MANUS O'DONNELL COLLECTED THE BALL JUST OUTSIDE THE 18YARD BOX TURNED THE DEFENDER BUT HIS SHOT BRINGING OUT AN INSTINCTIVE SAVE BY THE BURGH KEEPER AND THE BALL SQUIRMED ROUND THE POST FOR A CORNER. WITH THE HARD PRESSED BURGH HANGING ON, SCOTT ALCOCK AND ROBBIE SUTHERLAND HAD SHOT'S THAT JUST WENT OVER THE BAR, ANDY ALLISON A LEFT FOOT SHOT THAT WENT JUST WIDE OF THE RIGHT HAND POST AND ANOTHER SAVED BY THE KEEPER. BUT IT WAS ALL TO NO AVAIL THE HALF TIME WHISTLE WENT WITH ALBA UNABLE TO ADD TO THEIR SCORE.
THE SECOND HALF STARTED WHERE THE FIRST HALF LEFT OFF. ALBA'S GARY ANDERSON KNOCKED THE BALL ON TO KEVIN NICOLSON WHO'S HEADER WAS SAVED BY THE BURGH KEEPER. GARY ANDERSON AGAIN PICKED THE BALL IN MIDFIELD PLAYED IT THROUGH TO SCOTT ALCOCK HIS SHOT BRINGING OUT A GREAT SAVE FROM THE BURGH KEEPER. THE RESULTANT CORNER WAS TAKEN BY ANDY ALLISON, MANUS O'DONNELL ROSE ABOVE THE DEFENCE TO MEET THE BALL ONLY TO HEAD IT BY THE POST. WITH ALBA PRESSING SO FAR FORWARD THEIR BACK LINE CAME WITHIN SHOOTING DISTANCE, A ROBBIE SUTHERLAND SHOT FROM 40YARD'S OUT LOOKED GOALBOUND BUT THE KEEPER JUST MANAGED TO TIP THE BALL OVER THE BAR FOR A CORNER. KEVIN NICOLSON STEPPED UP TO TAKE THE CORNER, IT WAS CLEARED BY THE BURGH DEFENCE ONLY AS FAR AS OWEN FLETCHER ON THE EDGE OF THE PENALTY BOX HIS RIGHT FOOT ROCKET SHOT FLEW THROUGH A RUCK OF PLAYER'S INTO THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE NET GIVING THE BURGH KEEPER NO CHANCE, TO PUT ALBA 2-0 UP. ALBA THINKING THE JOB WAS DONE TOOK THEIR FOOT OF THE GAS, THE GAME SEEMED TO BE FIZZLING OUT AND WITH 10 MINUTE'S TO GO PAID THE PRICE. A LONG THROUGH BALL FOUND THE BURGH CENTRE FORWARD, GETTING THE BREAK OF THE BALL SHOT WITH HIS LEFT FOOT WHICH THE ALBA KEEPER SEEMED TO HAVE EASILY COVERED BUT THE BALL HITTING A DIVOT TOOK AN AWKWARD BOUNCE OVER THE STARTLED KEEPER TO LAND IN THE BACK OF THE NET, TO MAKE THE SCORE 2-1. BEFORE ALBA COULD RECOVER THE BURGH HAD SCORED A SECOND. IF THEIR FIRST GOAL HAD A ELEMENT OF LUCK THEIR SECOND CERTAINLY DIDEN'T. A LONG THROUGH BALL FROM DEFENCE FOUND THE BURGH FORWARD 25 YARD'S FROM GOAL, TAKING IT FIRST TIME ON HIS LEFT FOOT LOBBED THE ALBA KEEPER TO MAKE IT 2-2. ALBA WITH THEIR NEVER SAY DIE ATTITUDE WENT AT THE BURGH WITH A VENGEANCE, AT A FRANTIC PACE THEY POUNDED THE BURGH DEFENCE. GARY ANDERSON SHOWING THAT HE HAD PICKED UP A FEW TIP'S FROM WATCHING RONALDINHO MIDWEEK, TOOK THE BALL ON HIS CHEST 25 YARD'S OUT, LET IT DROP TO HIS KNEE, THEN ON TO HIS RIGHT FOOT, FLICKED IT OVER THE BURGH DEFENDER AND WITH THE BALL STILL NOT HAVING TOUCHED THE GROUND VOLLEYED IT WITH HIS LEFT FOOT, UNFORTUNATELY FOR HIM AND ALBA THE BALL WENT JUST BY THE POST. ALBA PRESING AS HARD AS THEY WERE, JOHNSTONE BURGH MANAGED TO HOLD OUT. THE FINAL SCORE 2-2.
MANAGER IAN NICOLSON SAID " THE REACTION OF THE TWO TEAM'S AT THE FINAL WHISTLE SAID IT ALL. WHILE THE BURGH PLAYER'S CHEERED WE LOOKED AS IF WE LOST THE GAME. ".
ALEXANDRIA SPORTS CENTRE, BALLOCH. SAT 8 \ 5 \ 2004.
ALBA TRAVELLED DOWN TO BALLOCH FOR THEIR LAST GAME OF THE
SEASON DETERMINED TO FINISH ON A HIGH.
FROM THE KICK-OFF IT WAS ONE-WAY TRAFFIC ALBA CONSTANTLY PRESSING AND TULLICHEWAN DEFENDING STOUTLY. ALBA'S FIRST CLEAR CUT CHANCE CAME WHEN STEVEN McDONNELL PLAYED THE BALL THROUGH TO MANUS O'DONNELL BUT HIS LEFT FOOT SHOT WENT INCHES BY THE POST. FROM THE BYE KICK ALBA PLAYED THE BALL BACK INTO THE PENALTY BOX, TULLICHEWAN WERE FORCED TO CONCEDE A CORNER. THE CORNER WAS TAKEN BY ANDY ALLISON, WHO FLIGHTED THE BALL INTO THE BOX IT WAS MET BY MANUS O'DONNELL BUT HIS HEADER SCRAPED THE TOP OF THE BAR . STEVEN McDONNELL PICKED THE BALL UP ON THE HALF-WAY LINE , RUNNING FORWARD THE TULLICHEWAN DEFENCE SEEMED TO OPEN UP FOR HIM , ON THE 18 YARD LINE HE FIRED A SHOT IN THAT LEFT THE KEEPER STRANDED TO PUT ALBA 1-0 UP. ALBA WON A CORNER ON THE LEFT TAKEN BY ANDY ALLISON THE BALL BROKE OFA TULLICHEWAN DEFENDER TO STEPHEN CONNELLY WHO CALMLY NETTED TO PUT ALBA 2-0 UP. KEVIN NICOLSON , GREG McAUSLAND , AND OWEN FLETCHER ALL CAME CLOSE TO ADDING TO ALBA'S SCORE BUT THE HALF-TIME WHISTLE WENT WITH ALBA 2-0 AHEAD.
ALBA STARTED OFF THE SECOND HALF THE WAY THEY FINISHED OFF THE FIRST , AND WITHIN A MINUTE ADDED TO THEIR SCORE . A STEVEN McDONNELL CROSS IN FROM THE RIGHT WAS FLICKED ON BY MANUS O'DONNELL TO KEVIN NICOLSON WHO COOLY SLOTTED THE BALL AWAY TO MAKE THE SCORE 3-0 TO ALBA . TULLICHEWAN RALLIED AND STARTED TO GAIN MORE POSSESSION , THEY BROKE WELL BUT TIME AFTER TIME COMING UP AGAINST ALBA'S BACK THREE OF KEVIN NICOLSON , STEPHEN CONNELLY , AND GREG McAUSLAND THEY COULD NOT FIND A WAY OF PUTTING ALBA'S KEEPER GARY CONNELLY UNDER PRESSURE . HAVING WEATHERED THE STORM ALBA HIT BACK , OWEN FLETCHER PLAYED THE BALL TO MANUS O'DONNELL WHO ROUNDED TWO DEFENDER'S BUT HIS SHOT CAME OFF THE POST AND WAS SCRAMBLED AWAY BY THE TULLICHEWAN KEEPER . TO CREATE ALBA'S NEXT CHANCE FLETCHER AND O'DONNELL COMBINED ONCE AGAIN , THIS TIME SETTING UP ANDY ALLISON WHO'S SHOT FROM 25 YARD'S OUT FLEW INTO THE TOP CORNER OF THE NET AT SUCH A VELOCITY THAT IT LEFT THE KEEPER ROOTED TO THE SPOT TO PUT ALBA 4-0 UP . FOR ALBA'S NEXT GOAL ALLISON TURNED PROVIDER HIS CROSS IN FROM THE RIGHT FOUND MANUS O'DONNELL WITH HIS BACK TO GOAL AND A DEFENDER BEHIND HIM , BRINGING THE BALL UNDER CONTROL FLICKED IT OVER HIS AND THE DEFENDER'S HEAD , HE THEN ROUNDED THE DEFENDER AND ON THE VOLLEY FIRED THE BALL PAST THE TULLICHEWAN KEEPER TO PUT ALBA 5-0 UP . WITH MOST OF THE GAME BEING PLAYED IN TULLICHEWAN'S HALF GREG McAUSLAND TOOK ADVANTAGE TO PUSH FORWARD TO ADD HIS WEIGHT TO ALBA'S ATTACK . AFTER COMING CLOSE ON A COUPLE OF OCCASION'S HE WAS NOT TO BE DENIED GETTING HIS GOAL . McAUSLAND COLLECTING THE BALL JUST INSIDE HIS OWN HALF , HIS RUN FORWARD TOOK HIM PAST TWO TULLICHEWAN PLAYER'S , LEAVING HIM ON THE EDGE OF THE 18 YARD BOX HE FIRED HIS SHOT ACROSS THE GOALKEEPER INTO THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE NET TO PUT ALBA 6-0 AHEAD . OWEN FLETCHER CAME CLOSE ON A NUMBER OF OCCASSION'S BUT COULD NOT GET HIS NAME ON THE SCORE-SHEET .
MANAGER IAN NICOLSON SAID " A GREAT PERFORMANCE FROM THE TEAM CONSIDERING WE TRAVELLED UP WITH ONLY ELEVEN PLAYER'S , DUE TO THE OLD FIRM GAME . SPECIAL MENTION SHOULD GO TO GREG McAUSLAND WHO THOROUGHLY DESERVED HIS MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD. "
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